Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview – or ‘snapshot’ – of the key human rights issues that arise from Australia’s approach to asylum seekers and refugees who arrive by boat.
The Commission seeks to ensure that the human rights of all people held in immigration detention in Australia are protected. The Commission has focused its recent immigration detention work on the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and children, because they have specific vulnerabilities and are given special protections under international law.
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This page was first created in July, 2013
Good morning everyone, thank you for inviting me to come to speak to you today, and for the warm welcome.I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, who are the traditional owners and custodians of the land upon which we meet today. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present.
I would also like to acknowledge Deputy Secretary David Fredericks, and Deputy Secretary Wendy Southern.
The reports below published by the Commission outline issues of concern arising from its visits to immigration detention facilities.
- Dept. of Home Affairs response to Adelaide Immigration Detention Centre
The Commission can inquire into complaints of breaches of human rights under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act).
When the Commission receives a complaint of an alleged breach of human rights the Commission will attempt to resolve the complaint through conciliation.
View the Commission's concerns about the treatment of refugees, including those who have received adverse security assessments from ASIO.